Reborn: I'll Never Fail My Childhood Sweetheart Again

Chapter 572 - 215: Huang Panpan’s Christmas Eve Gift

Before long, the lights on stage dimmed, and the evening event began.

Although it was a departmental performance, it was quite spectacular.

This was the last major event organized by Tao Min as the head of the School of Economics and Management’s arts department.

Next semester, as a senior close to graduation, she would be busy with her thesis and internship, naturally having no time to manage the arts department, and would have to step down after the New Year.

As a final showcase, Tao Min put a lot of effort into planning this evening event, striving for perfection.

Su Zelin was also very supportive, not only performing on stage himself but also asking Liuu Wanyin to provide a sponsorship fund and gifts that were significantly more than usual.

After all, even the best cook can’t make a meal without ingredients; with a sufficient budget, the event could be done better.

Moreover, a heavyweight director also attended as a guest and praised her in public, which made Tao Min very proud.

During the event, Su Zelin also watched from the VIP seats, chatting with Zhang Baisheng occasionally during breaks between programs until the event was near its end, when he went backstage to prepare.

His performance was the last act, the grand finale.

He met Tao Min backstage.

"Talented one, I’ve eagerly waited for your performance, you’re the superstar of our School of Economics and Management, everyone is waiting for your act, give it your best!"

"Haha, of course!" Su Zelin grinned: "Senior Sister Tao, this is the last major event organized by you in the arts department, how can I not perform well? The song I’m going to play is dedicated to you, so be sure to listen carefully!"

"Alright, I’ll be watching with great anticipation!"

Tao Min was very interested.

Su Zelin’s program was quite mysterious.

Everyone knew it was a guitar solo, but no one knew what song it would be.

Because Su Zelin was very busy and didn’t come for rehearsals.

The program team didn’t require him to rehearse either.

As a star guest performer, he was a heavyweight figure.

With such experience attending college-level galas frequently, his psychological quality was extraordinarily good, handling a department-level event with ease.

He only told the program team it was a guitar solo and said he hadn’t decided what song to play, he would decide based on inspiration at the time, and the program team exceptional agreed.

After waiting backstage for a while, it was his turn. Su Zelin sauntered onto the stage with his guitar.

The audience below erupted into a tsunami of screams and cheers instantly, and without much effort, the program effect was already maxed out.

Those familiar with Su Zelin’s popularity at the university were not surprised, while Zhang Baisheng and his son couldn’t help but be slightly moved.

This President Su, truly has extraordinary appeal!

Even though the program effect was already great, Su Zelin still casually said a few words customarily to adjust the atmosphere before beginning the performance.

As he plucked the guitar strings, Su Zelin began to hum along with the accompaniment.

Nothing can hold back

Your yearning for freedom

A carefree life

Your heart is unburdened

...

After singing a few lines, the audience once again burst into excitement.

"’Blue Lotus,’ this song just came out a few days ago!"

"Amazing, learned it so quickly!"

"I also really like this song, still practicing it, and there’s someone already performing it on stage so well!"

"..."

Su Zelin’s esteemed position in the university arts gala wasn’t without reason.

Firstly, his appearance is appealing and attracts the audience.

Secondly, his singing skills and guitar techniques are excellent and skillful.

Thirdly, he is never restrained on stage, knows how to engage the audience, and even lets himself go.

Another point is his song selection, every time he picks the newest and hottest songs, inherently carrying topics and program effects.

For example, right after "Meteor Garden" aired, he brought "Can’t Help Falling in Love."

Speaking of the hottest songs of 2002, one can never ignore "Blue Lotus."

It is a classic piece by Xu Wei, widely sung for generations.

This song’s release marked the beginning of this rock star’s fame across the country.

Yet it was only released on the 18th of this month, less than a week before Christmas Eve.

Thus, Su Zelin’s performance of "Blue Lotus" surprised almost everyone, pushing the atmosphere of the venue to its peak.

Through the dark years

Sometimes feeling lost

At the moment you bow your head

Realize the path beneath your feet

The free world in your heart

So clear and vast

Blooming forever

Blue Lotus

...

Though the lyrics were not grand, and the melody wasn’t dramatic, delivered in a calm and peaceful tone, it resonated with everyone.

This song, with a Zen-like quality, provides spiritual strength.

Even those who hadn’t heard it before were immersed in that wonderful mood.

It conveys a precious spirit of steadfast pursuit of ideals, never giving up.

That most pure and child-like determination often moves people the most, echoing the dreams of dreamers.

When your life is at a low point, hearing a line like "Nothing can hold back your longing for freedom" might just help you regain strength, this song even became a spiritual remedy for many young people in confusion.

This is why it became a hit and continues to be widely sung.

With the end of "Blue Lotus," the final act also brought the evening event’s atmosphere to a climax.

Zhang Baisheng and his son applauded along with the entire audience.

This song indeed had an indescribable power of influence.

Not only young people, even middle-aged individuals felt deeply touched listening to it.

Bidding farewell to the audience, Su Zelin with his guitar walked backstage, still hearing the unending screams and applause from behind.